Extensions

Extensions allow you to add methods to existing types, to make them do things they weren’t originally designed to do.

For example, we could add an extension to the Int type so that it has a squared() method that returns the current number multiplied by itself:

extension Int {
func squared() -> Int {
return self * self
}
}

To try that out, just create an integer and you’ll see it now has a squared() method:

let number = 8
number.squared()

Swift doesn’t let you add stored properties in extensions, so you must use computed properties instead. For example, we could add a new isEven computed property to integers that returns true if it holds an even number:

extension Int {
var isEven: Bool {
return self % 2 == 0
}
}

Learn Swift faster!

Take your Swift learning to the next level: buy the Hacking with Swift e-book and get bonus material to help you learn faster!